What do you think?
Rate this book
Darcy in Hollywood: A Modern Pride and Prejudice Variation
A modern Pride and Prejudice variation.
Rich and arrogant movie star, William Darcy, was a Hollywood heartthrob until a scandalous incident derailed his career. Now he can only hope that Tom Bennet’s prestigious but low budget indie film will restore his reputation. However, on the first day of filming, he nearly hits Bennet’s daughter, Elizabeth, with his Ferrari, and life will never be the same. Okay, she’s a little sarcastic, but he’s certain she’s concealing a massive crush on him—and it’s growing harder to fight his own attraction….
Elizabeth Bennet has a lot on her plate. She’s applying to medical school and running the studio’s charity project—while hoping her family won’t embarrass her too much. Being Darcy’s on-set personal assistant is infuriating; he’s rude, proud, and difficult. If there’s one thing she dislikes, it’s people who only think about themselves. But then Elizabeth discovers Darcy has been doing a lot of thinking about her.
She might be willing to concede a mutual attraction, but events are conspiring against them and Darcy subject to constant public scrutiny. Can Darcy and Elizabeth have any hope for a happy ending to their Hollywood romance?
Rich and arrogant movie star, William Darcy, was a Hollywood heartthrob until a scandalous incident derailed his career. Now he can only hope that Tom Bennet’s prestigious but low budget indie film will restore his reputation. However, on the first day of filming, he nearly hits Bennet’s daughter, Elizabeth, with his Ferrari, and life will never be the same. Okay, she’s a little sarcastic, but he’s certain she’s concealing a massive crush on him—and it’s growing harder to fight his own attraction….
Elizabeth Bennet has a lot on her plate. She’s applying to medical school and running the studio’s charity project—while hoping her family won’t embarrass her too much. Being Darcy’s on-set personal assistant is infuriating; he’s rude, proud, and difficult. If there’s one thing she dislikes, it’s people who only think about themselves. But then Elizabeth discovers Darcy has been doing a lot of thinking about her.
She might be willing to concede a mutual attraction, but events are conspiring against them and Darcy subject to constant public scrutiny. Can Darcy and Elizabeth have any hope for a happy ending to their Hollywood romance?
235 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 26, 2019
29 people are currently reading
65 people want to read
About the author
Victoria Kincaid
20 books205 followersVictoria has a Ph.D. in English literature and has taught composition to unwilling college students. Today she teaches business writing to willing office professionals and tries to give voice to the demanding cast of characters in her head.
She lives in Virginia with an overly affectionate cat, two children who are learning how much fun Austen’s characters can be, and a husband who fortunately is not jealous of Mr. Darcy. A lifelong Austen fan, Victoria has read more Jane Austen variations and sequels than she can count – and confesses to an extreme partiality for the Colin Firth miniseries version of Pride and Prejudice.
Visit her at www. victoriakincaid. com
She lives in Virginia with an overly affectionate cat, two children who are learning how much fun Austen’s characters can be, and a husband who fortunately is not jealous of Mr. Darcy. A lifelong Austen fan, Victoria has read more Jane Austen variations and sequels than she can count – and confesses to an extreme partiality for the Colin Firth miniseries version of Pride and Prejudice.
Visit her at www. victoriakincaid. com
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
July 2, 2019
3.5 rounded up to 4 stars
This book covers a couple of admirable topics very well and does an excellent job of incorporating a modern Pride and Prejudice into it. I particularly like the P&P-inspired "proposal" (which, in this case, is for Elizabeth to be William's date at a red-carpet premiere) and the role reversal in the last section of the story.
William Darcy has succumbed to the seductive power of celebrity. He's a hot actor, a "brand," and his off-screen persona is as much an act as what he does on screen. But his "brand" took a hit a year ago due to an incident in Palm Springs that isn't described for the reader until well into the book. He and his managers hope this indie movie that he's agreed to star in produced by Tom Bennet will put his career back on the right track.
Elizabeth Bennet is working as a production assistant on the set, both as a favor to her father and because she needs the money to pay for medical school. She's the only one in her family not caught up in the Hollywood lifestyle and all its phony shallowness. From her perspective, William Darcy epitomizes all the things she hates and wants to get away from.
The topic of the movie they're filming is pretty heavy. It's about the plight of LGBT teens whose families kick them out, leaving them homeless. The script has "Oscar" written all over it. Elizabeth's sister Jane is playing the lead, with other major roles played by William, Caroline Bingley, and Caroline's brother Charles.
As the movie is based on the script writer's personal experience, Elizabeth suggests offering on-set mentoring for current residents of the "True Colors" shelter that saved him. She has to do a hard sell on the idea to William, who reluctantly agrees to be one of the mentors.
Ms. Kincaid's books are always well-written with engaging lead characters, and Darcy in Hollywood: A Modern Pride and Prejudice Variation is no exception.
However...
There's fluffiness in some of the surrounding details that's jarring in contrast to the main storylines. Elizabeth's father is described as a producer of only B-list flicks. Their silly titles are reminiscent of campy 60s horror flicks. (i.e. The Zombie Ate My Homework and My Hovercraft is Full of Eels.) How did this guy end up producing such a serious film?
Lydia's bad acting is too awful to be believed. Supposedly Mrs. Bennet had been a movie star -- not a superstar, but she apparently had a reasonable career -- yet she's oblivious to how terrible Lydia is and is certain she'll be a big star. Even more bizarre, Mrs. Bennet denigrates Elizabeth for having graduated from Stanford and planning to go to med school, ending with "Where did we go wrong, Tom?" and musing that doctors aren't useful. I guess this is to emphasize how out of touch with reality Hollywood types can be. Instead, it comes across as too far over-the-top to be credible. She and Lydia are both painted in broad, caricature-like strokes which don't match up with the more nuanced characterizations found elsewhere in the book. It goes way beyond comic relief.
I have to mention that, at one point, Elizabeth talks to Ricky, the transgender writer whose parents had disowned him. When he says it's fine that he still has no contact with them and that he doesn't need them, Elizabeth says she "would be a mess without the support of [her] family." HUH? WHAT support? She's treated like the odd woman out by everyone in her family except Jane at that point. Even when she's injured evading getting hit by William's car, her father is far more concerned about potential negative publicity for Mr. Darcy and that it's slowing down the production schedule than he is about Elizabeth.
There's another inconsistency regarding the negative comments that Elizabeth overhears William making about her. The book makes it clear that he's aware she can hear him - he says it purposely for her ears - and that his motivation is to nip her supposed crush on him in the bud. When she calls him out on it later, he acts like he didn't know she heard him, then says he believes he was just trying to convince himself. It appears he's being sincere. Selective amnesia? He also apologizes for it, yet much is made about his mindset to never apologize for anything which Elizabeth holds against him.
The flaws are disappointing when the writing itself and the primary plot are so very good.
This book covers a couple of admirable topics very well and does an excellent job of incorporating a modern Pride and Prejudice into it. I particularly like the P&P-inspired "proposal" (which, in this case, is for Elizabeth to be William's date at a red-carpet premiere) and the role reversal in the last section of the story.
William Darcy has succumbed to the seductive power of celebrity. He's a hot actor, a "brand," and his off-screen persona is as much an act as what he does on screen. But his "brand" took a hit a year ago due to an incident in Palm Springs that isn't described for the reader until well into the book. He and his managers hope this indie movie that he's agreed to star in produced by Tom Bennet will put his career back on the right track.
Elizabeth Bennet is working as a production assistant on the set, both as a favor to her father and because she needs the money to pay for medical school. She's the only one in her family not caught up in the Hollywood lifestyle and all its phony shallowness. From her perspective, William Darcy epitomizes all the things she hates and wants to get away from.
The topic of the movie they're filming is pretty heavy. It's about the plight of LGBT teens whose families kick them out, leaving them homeless. The script has "Oscar" written all over it. Elizabeth's sister Jane is playing the lead, with other major roles played by William, Caroline Bingley, and Caroline's brother Charles.
As the movie is based on the script writer's personal experience, Elizabeth suggests offering on-set mentoring for current residents of the "True Colors" shelter that saved him. She has to do a hard sell on the idea to William, who reluctantly agrees to be one of the mentors.
Ms. Kincaid's books are always well-written with engaging lead characters, and Darcy in Hollywood: A Modern Pride and Prejudice Variation is no exception.
However...
There's fluffiness in some of the surrounding details that's jarring in contrast to the main storylines. Elizabeth's father is described as a producer of only B-list flicks. Their silly titles are reminiscent of campy 60s horror flicks. (i.e. The Zombie Ate My Homework and My Hovercraft is Full of Eels.) How did this guy end up producing such a serious film?
Lydia's bad acting is too awful to be believed. Supposedly Mrs. Bennet had been a movie star -- not a superstar, but she apparently had a reasonable career -- yet she's oblivious to how terrible Lydia is and is certain she'll be a big star. Even more bizarre, Mrs. Bennet denigrates Elizabeth for having graduated from Stanford and planning to go to med school, ending with "Where did we go wrong, Tom?" and musing that doctors aren't useful. I guess this is to emphasize how out of touch with reality Hollywood types can be. Instead, it comes across as too far over-the-top to be credible. She and Lydia are both painted in broad, caricature-like strokes which don't match up with the more nuanced characterizations found elsewhere in the book. It goes way beyond comic relief.
I have to mention that, at one point, Elizabeth talks to Ricky, the transgender writer whose parents had disowned him. When he says it's fine that he still has no contact with them and that he doesn't need them, Elizabeth says she "would be a mess without the support of [her] family." HUH? WHAT support? She's treated like the odd woman out by everyone in her family except Jane at that point. Even when she's injured evading getting hit by William's car, her father is far more concerned about potential negative publicity for Mr. Darcy and that it's slowing down the production schedule than he is about Elizabeth.
There's another inconsistency regarding the negative comments that Elizabeth overhears William making about her. The book makes it clear that he's aware she can hear him - he says it purposely for her ears - and that his motivation is to nip her supposed crush on him in the bud. When she calls him out on it later, he acts like he didn't know she heard him, then says he believes he was just trying to convince himself. It appears he's being sincere. Selective amnesia? He also apologizes for it, yet much is made about his mindset to never apologize for anything which Elizabeth holds against him.
The flaws are disappointing when the writing itself and the primary plot are so very good.
January 9, 2020
Stars, Scandals, and Selflessness
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Having adored Victoria Kincaid’s President Darcy, I was thrilled to learn that she had penned a second modern-day adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. And similar to President Darcy, Victoria Kincaid takes our beloved characters to another high-profile environment quite different from a small village in England – Hollywood. In this fun and thoughtful update, Ms. Kincaid introduces us to a William Darcy who is an A-list actor that has a tarnished reputation, an Elizabeth Bennet who temporarily is working as PA for her father’s production company but wants to go to medical school, and the rest of Bennets and Bingleys, who are actors, actresses, producers, and mom-agers.
Not confining herself to the constructs of Pride and Prejudice, Victoria Kincaid finds creative ways to implement some key points from Pride and Prejudice in the world of film crews, celebrities, and life in the limelight. There is a terrible (and nearly life-threatening) first encounter, a prejudice assumption or two, a battle of wills, and an insulting offer. And each was so skillfully reinvented that they often felt fresh and unexpected. In addition, there are quite a few surprises and twists towards the end that make this an enthralling unique Pride and Prejudice inspired story, rather than Pride and Prejudice translated to modern times.
One of the elements I enjoyed most about this story was how Ms. Kincaid widened her scope and explored the importance of familial support, accepting people’s differences, thinking about others, and doing good in the world. The film everyone is working on is a serious indie project that tells the story about a transsexual teen that is kicked out by her family, left homeless, and a victim of cruelty. Even though it is a heavy topic, it was one that was handled quite sensitively and sympathetically throughout the plot. I especially loved the charity endeavors that went alongside this movie and the focus on helping LGBTQ teens who have been kicked out or have runaway from home. I applaud Ms. Kincaid for incorporating these themes and side-plots in her story, and I felt she struck a wonderful balance of addressing some sad realities and illustrating how even the smallest acts of good can make a difference.
Another element I greatly enjoyed was the portrayal and development of William Darcy. He isn’t just the typical haughty Mr. Darcy that acts aloof. He has had his own hardships, including a disappointing childhood and a recent scandal that has created turmoil in his life and damaged his career prospects. He doesn’t have just his prejudices and pride to overcome in this story, but also his cynical view of the world. I love that he was grateful towards Elizabeth for showing him how to be a better person and admired her optimism. And I appreciated how he was always quick recognize the lack familial love and support in Elizabeth’s family. His overall journey to becoming a better man and earning Elizabeth’s love was heartwarming to witness.
While this story endeared and entertained me in many ways, it felt like there were a few scenes missing. Some developments felt a little rushed or glossed over – especially with the screenwriter’s storyline, Lizzy’s school/career options, and the award ceremony in the second half. And if they were fleshed out some I think the result would be a richer and more encompassing story.
Darcy in Hollywood is a diverting and refreshingly original Pride and Prejudice tale that I am sure many readers will enjoy. I greatly admire the inventive premise, insightful character development, and inspiring themes Ms. Kincaid employed in this story. I sincerely hope she will pen another modern-day adaptation of Pride and Prejudice soon!
NOTE: Due to the occasional use of profanity, I’d recommend this story for Mature Audiences.
Austenesque Reviews
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Having adored Victoria Kincaid’s President Darcy, I was thrilled to learn that she had penned a second modern-day adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. And similar to President Darcy, Victoria Kincaid takes our beloved characters to another high-profile environment quite different from a small village in England – Hollywood. In this fun and thoughtful update, Ms. Kincaid introduces us to a William Darcy who is an A-list actor that has a tarnished reputation, an Elizabeth Bennet who temporarily is working as PA for her father’s production company but wants to go to medical school, and the rest of Bennets and Bingleys, who are actors, actresses, producers, and mom-agers.
Not confining herself to the constructs of Pride and Prejudice, Victoria Kincaid finds creative ways to implement some key points from Pride and Prejudice in the world of film crews, celebrities, and life in the limelight. There is a terrible (and nearly life-threatening) first encounter, a prejudice assumption or two, a battle of wills, and an insulting offer. And each was so skillfully reinvented that they often felt fresh and unexpected. In addition, there are quite a few surprises and twists towards the end that make this an enthralling unique Pride and Prejudice inspired story, rather than Pride and Prejudice translated to modern times.
One of the elements I enjoyed most about this story was how Ms. Kincaid widened her scope and explored the importance of familial support, accepting people’s differences, thinking about others, and doing good in the world. The film everyone is working on is a serious indie project that tells the story about a transsexual teen that is kicked out by her family, left homeless, and a victim of cruelty. Even though it is a heavy topic, it was one that was handled quite sensitively and sympathetically throughout the plot. I especially loved the charity endeavors that went alongside this movie and the focus on helping LGBTQ teens who have been kicked out or have runaway from home. I applaud Ms. Kincaid for incorporating these themes and side-plots in her story, and I felt she struck a wonderful balance of addressing some sad realities and illustrating how even the smallest acts of good can make a difference.
Another element I greatly enjoyed was the portrayal and development of William Darcy. He isn’t just the typical haughty Mr. Darcy that acts aloof. He has had his own hardships, including a disappointing childhood and a recent scandal that has created turmoil in his life and damaged his career prospects. He doesn’t have just his prejudices and pride to overcome in this story, but also his cynical view of the world. I love that he was grateful towards Elizabeth for showing him how to be a better person and admired her optimism. And I appreciated how he was always quick recognize the lack familial love and support in Elizabeth’s family. His overall journey to becoming a better man and earning Elizabeth’s love was heartwarming to witness.
While this story endeared and entertained me in many ways, it felt like there were a few scenes missing. Some developments felt a little rushed or glossed over – especially with the screenwriter’s storyline, Lizzy’s school/career options, and the award ceremony in the second half. And if they were fleshed out some I think the result would be a richer and more encompassing story.
Darcy in Hollywood is a diverting and refreshingly original Pride and Prejudice tale that I am sure many readers will enjoy. I greatly admire the inventive premise, insightful character development, and inspiring themes Ms. Kincaid employed in this story. I sincerely hope she will pen another modern-day adaptation of Pride and Prejudice soon!
NOTE: Due to the occasional use of profanity, I’d recommend this story for Mature Audiences.
Austenesque Reviews
August 20, 2019
Pride and Prejudice meets Hollywood in this slightly edgy, modern adaption of Austen's original story. The story was part romance, part comedy and was infused with elements that reached deeply making this not just a pale shadow, but a solid tribute to the classic tale.
Darcy in Hollywood begins on a cringeworthy scene when an A-List actor, Will Darcy, arriving on set in his Ferrari nearly runs over a beautiful young woman, Lizzy Bennet. Naturally, he doesn't apologize and blames her a little even though he knows that he was in the wrong by fiddling with his radio and nearly hitting her. This starts the beginning of an acrimonious enemies to lovers romance where he slowly sees himself- as in he is egotistically oblivious at first- through Lizzy's eyes and doesn't like what he sees. She has no idea that he has been challenged by her to be a better man and can't stand him- well other than pretending not to notice his amazing good looks or being puzzled when he doesn't act like an arrogant jerk.
Meanwhile, Lizzy's Hollywood family are all involved in the new indie film her dad is producing from her gorgeous sister Jane who has the lead role opposite Darcy to her silly, starstruck youngest sister, Lydia. The movie is the story of a trans teen kicked out for being trans and, from homelessness, finds a way to his dream and the film is helping to generate support for a local shelter that take in LGBTQA teens when they found themselves on the street and destitute.
I was engaged with the characters from the beginning even when Darcy was a real piece of work. He grew so much throughout the story and I enjoyed being on that journey of discovery with him. Lizzy was right about him, but, not completely. Her family, other than Jane, have been awful to her since she wants to be a doctor and not involved in the movie world so she has a jaundiced view of actors already which has her getting the wrong end of the stick about Darcy, especially when she believes charming Wickham's lies and sees the plastic people Darcy is surrounded by.
The surrounding cast of characters offered some good layers to the story with some of the secondary plot threads particularly the Jane-Charlie-Ricky story and young Garrett's story wth Darcy mentoring him.
There are some of the author's fun over the top screwball moments when she plays around with the characters of Darcy's insufferably proud aunt and her groveling assistant along with Mrs. Bennet, former starlet and eager promoter of her favorite child, Lydia. They are funny even while being awful and annoying.
I found the couple of surprise twists about the screenwriter and about the scandal that sidetracked Darcy's career were great and I didn't see them coming. I thought both offered defining moments in Darcy's life to show Lizzy who he really was when the Hollywood veneer is peeled back and Wickham's lies revealed.
The romance had a goodly level of conflict and had some angst, but nothing over the top. I liked seeing them get past the surface issues and enjoyed the moderate level of attraction buzzing between them even when they were on the outs or thought they were, at times.
All in all, it was an engaging slightly spicy contemporary romance giving a strong nod to Austen's classic. It's a recommendable romance for those who enjoys a movie set background and an enemies to lovers trope.
My thanks to the author for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Darcy in Hollywood begins on a cringeworthy scene when an A-List actor, Will Darcy, arriving on set in his Ferrari nearly runs over a beautiful young woman, Lizzy Bennet. Naturally, he doesn't apologize and blames her a little even though he knows that he was in the wrong by fiddling with his radio and nearly hitting her. This starts the beginning of an acrimonious enemies to lovers romance where he slowly sees himself- as in he is egotistically oblivious at first- through Lizzy's eyes and doesn't like what he sees. She has no idea that he has been challenged by her to be a better man and can't stand him- well other than pretending not to notice his amazing good looks or being puzzled when he doesn't act like an arrogant jerk.
Meanwhile, Lizzy's Hollywood family are all involved in the new indie film her dad is producing from her gorgeous sister Jane who has the lead role opposite Darcy to her silly, starstruck youngest sister, Lydia. The movie is the story of a trans teen kicked out for being trans and, from homelessness, finds a way to his dream and the film is helping to generate support for a local shelter that take in LGBTQA teens when they found themselves on the street and destitute.
I was engaged with the characters from the beginning even when Darcy was a real piece of work. He grew so much throughout the story and I enjoyed being on that journey of discovery with him. Lizzy was right about him, but, not completely. Her family, other than Jane, have been awful to her since she wants to be a doctor and not involved in the movie world so she has a jaundiced view of actors already which has her getting the wrong end of the stick about Darcy, especially when she believes charming Wickham's lies and sees the plastic people Darcy is surrounded by.
The surrounding cast of characters offered some good layers to the story with some of the secondary plot threads particularly the Jane-Charlie-Ricky story and young Garrett's story wth Darcy mentoring him.
There are some of the author's fun over the top screwball moments when she plays around with the characters of Darcy's insufferably proud aunt and her groveling assistant along with Mrs. Bennet, former starlet and eager promoter of her favorite child, Lydia. They are funny even while being awful and annoying.
I found the couple of surprise twists about the screenwriter and about the scandal that sidetracked Darcy's career were great and I didn't see them coming. I thought both offered defining moments in Darcy's life to show Lizzy who he really was when the Hollywood veneer is peeled back and Wickham's lies revealed.
The romance had a goodly level of conflict and had some angst, but nothing over the top. I liked seeing them get past the surface issues and enjoyed the moderate level of attraction buzzing between them even when they were on the outs or thought they were, at times.
All in all, it was an engaging slightly spicy contemporary romance giving a strong nod to Austen's classic. It's a recommendable romance for those who enjoys a movie set background and an enemies to lovers trope.
My thanks to the author for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
August 21, 2019
4.5 rounded up to 5 stars
I enjoyed this modern variation which follows much of the outline of JA's canon.
However, Will's parents are alive and when we read later in the story about his family's history we understand more how he has come to have the behavior we read of in this variation.
As the story blurb tells us Will, a popular actor, takes his eyes off the road to adjust his car's radio (the first day he has his license reinstated) and almost hits Elizabeth Bennet who manages to avoid such but trips and falls, hitting her head and suffering a concussion (as we learn later). Will somehow not only does not apologize (which he skips again later in the story for another offense) but also berates her for being in his path! Not exactly getting off on the right foot. Then when it just so happens she is assigned as his PA she overhears him insult her looks and her intelligence to Bingley, an actor who has a penchant for picking up and dropping love interests left and right.
Amusingly he attributes her then quitting as his PA and being assigned to another as her way to avoid him due to her impossible crush on him. After all he is surrounded by women who fall all over him so why shouldn't he group her with such. But he needs eye candy on his arm as he attempts to remake his reputation due to bad publicity over a drug offense which we read about later in the story.
The Bennet family is totally involved with the Hollywood scene except for Elizabeth who is applying to medical school. Will doesn't know that so judges her actions as moves to get where she wants to be in the field of movies and acting. The movie he is in has Jane and Lydia in roles with Mr. Bennet producing such. Elizabeth sets up a charity connection, which her family does for every movie with which they are connected. (The titles were one of the few things I thought were not well done). That charity plays a part throughout the story and in the end makes it possible to provide the identity of the culprit when Lydia is severely injured in a car accident and a "witness" points to Will as the driver.
The story plays hot and cold with this relationship as misunderstandings come into play in their lives. Finger pointing includes blame being placed on Elizabeth's shoulder when Wickham creates havoc. The LGBTQ community is part of this story in a positive way both as the focus of the charity and as the various members become mentees to persons connected to this film.
There are many other facets to this story which I won't get into but I will say that this book kept my attention and that I highly recommend it to JAFF lovers.
I enjoyed this modern variation which follows much of the outline of JA's canon.
However, Will's parents are alive and when we read later in the story about his family's history we understand more how he has come to have the behavior we read of in this variation.
As the story blurb tells us Will, a popular actor, takes his eyes off the road to adjust his car's radio (the first day he has his license reinstated) and almost hits Elizabeth Bennet who manages to avoid such but trips and falls, hitting her head and suffering a concussion (as we learn later). Will somehow not only does not apologize (which he skips again later in the story for another offense) but also berates her for being in his path! Not exactly getting off on the right foot. Then when it just so happens she is assigned as his PA she overhears him insult her looks and her intelligence to Bingley, an actor who has a penchant for picking up and dropping love interests left and right.
Amusingly he attributes her then quitting as his PA and being assigned to another as her way to avoid him due to her impossible crush on him. After all he is surrounded by women who fall all over him so why shouldn't he group her with such. But he needs eye candy on his arm as he attempts to remake his reputation due to bad publicity over a drug offense which we read about later in the story.
The Bennet family is totally involved with the Hollywood scene except for Elizabeth who is applying to medical school. Will doesn't know that so judges her actions as moves to get where she wants to be in the field of movies and acting. The movie he is in has Jane and Lydia in roles with Mr. Bennet producing such. Elizabeth sets up a charity connection, which her family does for every movie with which they are connected. (The titles were one of the few things I thought were not well done). That charity plays a part throughout the story and in the end makes it possible to provide the identity of the culprit when Lydia is severely injured in a car accident and a "witness" points to Will as the driver.
The story plays hot and cold with this relationship as misunderstandings come into play in their lives. Finger pointing includes blame being placed on Elizabeth's shoulder when Wickham creates havoc. The LGBTQ community is part of this story in a positive way both as the focus of the charity and as the various members become mentees to persons connected to this film.
There are many other facets to this story which I won't get into but I will say that this book kept my attention and that I highly recommend it to JAFF lovers.
Read
May 21, 2024DNF at 37%, maybe someday I'll pick it up again. Definitely found President Darcy to be better. It was my favorite of 2023.
July 7, 2019
Contemporary Pride and Prejudice variation.
Unputdownable!
Hilariously funny book, loved the colourful language, the snide remarks and the witty banter.
Elizabeth had a summer job at her father's company while applying for med school. Assigned as the Hollywood heartthrob Darcy's PA, they got off on the wrong foot as he nearly ran her over on the first day.
Despite the physical attraction between them, their minds didn't agree with their bodies and a lot of hilarious moments ensued.
Loved the way Kincaid had adapted PnP into the modern era in this book. It felt plausible yet unpredictable as the story had some unexpected twists and turns. I loved it!
Heartily recommend this book!
Unputdownable!
Hilariously funny book, loved the colourful language, the snide remarks and the witty banter.
Elizabeth had a summer job at her father's company while applying for med school. Assigned as the Hollywood heartthrob Darcy's PA, they got off on the wrong foot as he nearly ran her over on the first day.
Despite the physical attraction between them, their minds didn't agree with their bodies and a lot of hilarious moments ensued.
Loved the way Kincaid had adapted PnP into the modern era in this book. It felt plausible yet unpredictable as the story had some unexpected twists and turns. I loved it!
Heartily recommend this book!
January 8, 2020
I could have enjoyed it more, but, no, modern Darcy was quite the arrogant asshat.
And Lizzy looked down on everything.
Darcy told her his nanny used to hit him, and she answers him, that sucks. Really, really, wtf Lizzy?
Bingley was quite the idiot too. I know he is the well Bingley! But. what an idiot.
Lydia was older here so the Wickham thing was just silly when Lizzy was all you are 19! Well he is 24. Wow. Ok so there is another twist too, but I like it more when he really is a creep that should be castrated.
Silly misunderstandings, and well in the end I just found most unlikable. There were good parts, so it can get a ok for that, barely
And Lizzy looked down on everything.
Darcy told her his nanny used to hit him, and she answers him, that sucks. Really, really, wtf Lizzy?
Bingley was quite the idiot too. I know he is the well Bingley! But. what an idiot.
Lydia was older here so the Wickham thing was just silly when Lizzy was all you are 19! Well he is 24. Wow. Ok so there is another twist too, but I like it more when he really is a creep that should be castrated.
Silly misunderstandings, and well in the end I just found most unlikable. There were good parts, so it can get a ok for that, barely
July 4, 2019
Excellent as always
I am not a huge fan of modern P&P stories, but Victoria Kincaid always spins them beautifully and throws in unexpected/unpredictable storylines.
I am not a huge fan of modern P&P stories, but Victoria Kincaid always spins them beautifully and throws in unexpected/unpredictable storylines.
July 3, 2019
I greatly enjoyed this story. I know it was good when I stayed up late to read it. While I agree with some of the logical issues brougt up by Debbie, I was willing to overlook them. I was so caught up in Will and Elizabeth that some of the details didn't matter. Perhaps it was the uniqueness of the plot. This was one in which I truly could not predict the ending (except there *would be a happy ending, why else read P&P FF?!). I thought these two lead characters had depth and great emotion and I was invested. I enjoyed the twists and turns, some very unexpected. I only wish I had a tad more at the end. Highly enjoyable!
Read
July 30, 2019Soon!
Read
August 26, 2023Enjoyable Modern Variation
Reviewed in Canada on August 5, 2019
I found some of the crazy movie titles a bit forced, but otherwise I thought this was a good, clean, light, modern variation.
Reviewed in Canada on August 5, 2019
I found some of the crazy movie titles a bit forced, but otherwise I thought this was a good, clean, light, modern variation.
September 5, 2019
Reading for the second time. Just as I was going to write a review my father ended up in the CCU. Now things are settled. Going for a second read to write a review.
I won this book in a Austen Authors giveaway.
A lovely modern adaptation of Hollywood meet Pride and Prejudice. Will Darcy is an A-list actor who has just coming out of a scandal that has cost him job roles. He takes the lead actor role on a small budget controversial Indie film. The movie is about an adopted teen searching for his biological mother. He needs this job to redeem himself as an actor. The first day on the job with a reinstated drivers license, he crashes his car in a lamppost to avoid hitting Lizzy Bennet. Lizzy Bennet suffers a slight mild head concussion from falling on the sidewalk. The ego-statical Darcy refuses to apologize for causing the injury. Lizzy Bennet is helping her father on this job as a PA (personal assistant) for extra cash for medical school. Lizzy Bennet is not interested in the Hollywood scene or the behaviors of actors.
Thomas Bennet is the producer for this Indie film called In the Shadows. Will Darcy is the lead, Jane Bennet is also the lead, Caroline Bingley plays the love interest to Will. Charles Bingley also an actor in the film. Lydia Bennet has a small, 2 lines in the film. Mrs. Bennet is a mother pushing the Hollywood roles. Wickham is a lying, charming character. Lady Catherine makes a cameo appearance on the film. Collins is the assistant to Lady Catherine and her dog.
Lizzy Bennet is assigned to be Will Darcy’s PA for the film. This is beginning of this lovely love/hate/ misunderstanding relationship. Darcy and Lizzy have a misunderstanding that makes Lizzy refuse to be a PA for Darcy. Lizzy takes on the role of chairing a charity project for the studio related to the film. Darcy decides to change is ways and make him a better person. Darcy still wants Lizzy and is fascinated by her non Hollywood behavior.
Can they overcome their differences and scandals to be a couple.
I enjoyed this book and would recommend.
I won this book in a Austen Authors giveaway.
A lovely modern adaptation of Hollywood meet Pride and Prejudice. Will Darcy is an A-list actor who has just coming out of a scandal that has cost him job roles. He takes the lead actor role on a small budget controversial Indie film. The movie is about an adopted teen searching for his biological mother. He needs this job to redeem himself as an actor. The first day on the job with a reinstated drivers license, he crashes his car in a lamppost to avoid hitting Lizzy Bennet. Lizzy Bennet suffers a slight mild head concussion from falling on the sidewalk. The ego-statical Darcy refuses to apologize for causing the injury. Lizzy Bennet is helping her father on this job as a PA (personal assistant) for extra cash for medical school. Lizzy Bennet is not interested in the Hollywood scene or the behaviors of actors.
Thomas Bennet is the producer for this Indie film called In the Shadows. Will Darcy is the lead, Jane Bennet is also the lead, Caroline Bingley plays the love interest to Will. Charles Bingley also an actor in the film. Lydia Bennet has a small, 2 lines in the film. Mrs. Bennet is a mother pushing the Hollywood roles. Wickham is a lying, charming character. Lady Catherine makes a cameo appearance on the film. Collins is the assistant to Lady Catherine and her dog.
Lizzy Bennet is assigned to be Will Darcy’s PA for the film. This is beginning of this lovely love/hate/ misunderstanding relationship. Darcy and Lizzy have a misunderstanding that makes Lizzy refuse to be a PA for Darcy. Lizzy takes on the role of chairing a charity project for the studio related to the film. Darcy decides to change is ways and make him a better person. Darcy still wants Lizzy and is fascinated by her non Hollywood behavior.
Can they overcome their differences and scandals to be a couple.
I enjoyed this book and would recommend.
July 23, 2019
Living The Hollywood Life
A definitely different Pride and Prejudice variation, though very enjoyable. There were a few worthy surprises in this story so please go read. Very worth the time. Please note no spoilers given.
A definitely different Pride and Prejudice variation, though very enjoyable. There were a few worthy surprises in this story so please go read. Very worth the time. Please note no spoilers given.
November 27, 2022
Thoughtful and Well Done
A very sweet and thoughtful book that highlights two serious and important topics relevant to today. I normally don't read too many modern JAFF books because I prefer the time set of the original P&P, but this book has a few things that are new to me in modern JAFF. Sure it's set in Hollywood and the Bennet family is tied up in the movie industry like one would expect from the title, and Darcy is a movie star with all the attitudes and narcissism that that brings. After all, this is a book about ODC having a love/hate relationship that is, at its base, typical. However, the author brings awareness to issues of illegal drugs and transgender/LGBTQ with a sensitive and honest approach without being preachy or political. I thought she did a great job of blending everything together and creating a special kind of variation that even some P&P fans who don't particularly care for moderns will really enjoy.
A very sweet and thoughtful book that highlights two serious and important topics relevant to today. I normally don't read too many modern JAFF books because I prefer the time set of the original P&P, but this book has a few things that are new to me in modern JAFF. Sure it's set in Hollywood and the Bennet family is tied up in the movie industry like one would expect from the title, and Darcy is a movie star with all the attitudes and narcissism that that brings. After all, this is a book about ODC having a love/hate relationship that is, at its base, typical. However, the author brings awareness to issues of illegal drugs and transgender/LGBTQ with a sensitive and honest approach without being preachy or political. I thought she did a great job of blending everything together and creating a special kind of variation that even some P&P fans who don't particularly care for moderns will really enjoy.
February 25, 2023
3.5*
This was an enjoyable modern take on P&P with a very different plot-line. The decision to set to the story in modern-day Hollywood was inspired and made for some very interesting changes and challenges.
However, I really wanted to like the a little more than I actually did. It was, for me, a little flawed. The Bennets were not nice to Elizabeth on the whole, excepting Jane of course, but she comments to a character that she "couldn't cope without the support of her family". This was nonsensical. The LGBTQ+ angle was bold but I didn't always feel totally comfortable with some of the descriptions of the characters or some of the stereotypes.
I liked the role switch at the end with Elizabeth saving Darcy rather than the usual reverse and the epilogue was suitably Hollywood.
This was an enjoyable modern take on P&P with a very different plot-line. The decision to set to the story in modern-day Hollywood was inspired and made for some very interesting changes and challenges.
However, I really wanted to like the a little more than I actually did. It was, for me, a little flawed. The Bennets were not nice to Elizabeth on the whole, excepting Jane of course, but she comments to a character that she "couldn't cope without the support of her family". This was nonsensical. The LGBTQ+ angle was bold but I didn't always feel totally comfortable with some of the descriptions of the characters or some of the stereotypes.
I liked the role switch at the end with Elizabeth saving Darcy rather than the usual reverse and the epilogue was suitably Hollywood.
October 10, 2022
"Darcy in Hollywood" was a fun read. It had a fascinating setting –the film industry - and I thought it was a brilliant idea making Darcy a Hollywood star so he’s at the top of the pecking order. At first, he is pretty much a jerk but he does change after he meets Elizabeth.
I wasn't that keen on how the author changed the family dynamics. All the family except Jane seem to look down on Elizabeth as she doesn't want to be in the film industry. And she certainly isn't Mr Bennet's favourite daughter.
it's always interesting to see how an author updates 'Pride and Prejudice' to a modern setting and I thought Victoria Kincaid did a good job.
I wasn't that keen on how the author changed the family dynamics. All the family except Jane seem to look down on Elizabeth as she doesn't want to be in the film industry. And she certainly isn't Mr Bennet's favourite daughter.
it's always interesting to see how an author updates 'Pride and Prejudice' to a modern setting and I thought Victoria Kincaid did a good job.
September 20, 2022
I loved this modern version!
I'm not exactly sure that Darcy would be comfortable being an actor, but this is an amazing story that keeps you turning pages non stop. A great love story!
I'm not exactly sure that Darcy would be comfortable being an actor, but this is an amazing story that keeps you turning pages non stop. A great love story!
February 24, 2021
Confused at the beginning and somewhat ridiculous, it rallies to a sweet enough ending.
May 5, 2022
Cute
My only complaint is that the two of them didn't really interact much. Most of it was describing things that happened while they were apart.
My only complaint is that the two of them didn't really interact much. Most of it was describing things that happened while they were apart.
October 31, 2019
Beware B List Movies!
When I read the synopsis for this book and some of the reviews, I could not believe that poor Lizzy was almost forgotten about as she lay injured on the sidewalk (we call them footpaths in my part of the world). Her father berated her for getting in the way of Mr Darcy's car (said car now being wrapped around a light post, so therefore it mounted the sidewalk) then after Darcy did express some concern for the injured woman, Tom patted her on the arm and told her to soldier on. Darcy was flabbergasted at the lack of concern showed by her family members who were present and to his credit, he did suggest an ambulance be called, but he was really only concerned about the damage to his red Ferrari and the expectation of bad publicity.
Then we had Mrs Bennet and Lydia being even more ridiculous than they are in the original P&P and most variations; they were caricatures of the obsessive showbiz mum and the totally talentless young head-in-the-clouds wanna-be star. The story to date was not an auspicious start for me I am afraid, and I almost gave the story up as a dead loss when I heard the names of some of Tom Bennet's former productions, to wit: The zombie Ate My Homework, and Captain Succotash! And there was more from where those two came from. Then there was the fact that Elizabeth, working on the set of the Indie production headed up by her father to earn some money to help her save money to enable her to apply to different colleges so she could start her medical degree. She is the only one in her family not blinded by Hollywood and showbiz hype and her family treat her almost like a leper. She is an excellent personal assistant however, being methodical and forward thinking...not to mention clever and once she is recovered, her father assigns her to Darcy, the man who was the cause of her accident (along with a crack in the sidewalk) and a mega Hollywood star who is the epitome of everything Elizabeth hates about Hollywood and its movie star satellites.
I was so close to closing my Kindle sooo often, and when Darcy turned out to be a self-centred, entirely-in-love-with-himself, jerk, I was a hairs-breadth away from doing just that. But then Darcy realised that his obsession with Lizzy was more than just wanting to get her into bed for a one night stand, he was, of course, in love with her. Once he got his head out of his own butt and joined the rest of the human race, the book improved mightily for me, and I really enjoyed the last third.
I know there was a lot of tongue-in-cheek going on throughout the first two-thirds,of the book, and though some of it was LOL, some was just plain annoying. Case in point, the ridiculous Hollywood legend and Darcy's aunt, Catherine de Bourgh, her ridiculous dog, Cecil B. DeMille. and her even more ridiculous PA, Bill Collins. Most of the major players from P&P were present in one guise or another, except the Gardiners and Wickham's fellow officers.
Definitely some laugh-out-loud moments but for me, the last third was more enjoyable than the first two thirds. I don't enjoy Darcy being such a jerk. But when the romance happened, it was lovely, but other than a couple of hot kisses, we do not see the culmination of ODC's love and desire, we are just told it happens. This was beautifully done.
I did wonder about the fantastical movie titles, but then I read Victoria Kincaid's about the Author and all was explained. 😁
Slow start for me, but eventually a lovely romance with some villainy thrown in for good measure. 4 stars. 🌟🌟🌟🌟
When I read the synopsis for this book and some of the reviews, I could not believe that poor Lizzy was almost forgotten about as she lay injured on the sidewalk (we call them footpaths in my part of the world). Her father berated her for getting in the way of Mr Darcy's car (said car now being wrapped around a light post, so therefore it mounted the sidewalk) then after Darcy did express some concern for the injured woman, Tom patted her on the arm and told her to soldier on. Darcy was flabbergasted at the lack of concern showed by her family members who were present and to his credit, he did suggest an ambulance be called, but he was really only concerned about the damage to his red Ferrari and the expectation of bad publicity.
Then we had Mrs Bennet and Lydia being even more ridiculous than they are in the original P&P and most variations; they were caricatures of the obsessive showbiz mum and the totally talentless young head-in-the-clouds wanna-be star. The story to date was not an auspicious start for me I am afraid, and I almost gave the story up as a dead loss when I heard the names of some of Tom Bennet's former productions, to wit: The zombie Ate My Homework, and Captain Succotash! And there was more from where those two came from. Then there was the fact that Elizabeth, working on the set of the Indie production headed up by her father to earn some money to help her save money to enable her to apply to different colleges so she could start her medical degree. She is the only one in her family not blinded by Hollywood and showbiz hype and her family treat her almost like a leper. She is an excellent personal assistant however, being methodical and forward thinking...not to mention clever and once she is recovered, her father assigns her to Darcy, the man who was the cause of her accident (along with a crack in the sidewalk) and a mega Hollywood star who is the epitome of everything Elizabeth hates about Hollywood and its movie star satellites.
I was so close to closing my Kindle sooo often, and when Darcy turned out to be a self-centred, entirely-in-love-with-himself, jerk, I was a hairs-breadth away from doing just that. But then Darcy realised that his obsession with Lizzy was more than just wanting to get her into bed for a one night stand, he was, of course, in love with her. Once he got his head out of his own butt and joined the rest of the human race, the book improved mightily for me, and I really enjoyed the last third.
I know there was a lot of tongue-in-cheek going on throughout the first two-thirds,of the book, and though some of it was LOL, some was just plain annoying. Case in point, the ridiculous Hollywood legend and Darcy's aunt, Catherine de Bourgh, her ridiculous dog, Cecil B. DeMille. and her even more ridiculous PA, Bill Collins. Most of the major players from P&P were present in one guise or another, except the Gardiners and Wickham's fellow officers.
Definitely some laugh-out-loud moments but for me, the last third was more enjoyable than the first two thirds. I don't enjoy Darcy being such a jerk. But when the romance happened, it was lovely, but other than a couple of hot kisses, we do not see the culmination of ODC's love and desire, we are just told it happens. This was beautifully done.
I did wonder about the fantastical movie titles, but then I read Victoria Kincaid's about the Author and all was explained. 😁
Slow start for me, but eventually a lovely romance with some villainy thrown in for good measure. 4 stars. 🌟🌟🌟🌟
July 20, 2019
I liked her President book better but this was still very good. Ending was annoying. Bill Collins makes the novel just like in President and her movie titles had me laughing, My Hovercraft is Full of Eels. Overpriced I think it shouldn’t have had so many editing errors. I waited to purchase till Amazon had a $5 off ebook deal. Plenty of things I highlighted because they were funny, and even though it had a very serious premise the novel never drowned in it. I will buy her next P&P modernizations, VK are among the best.
July 26, 2019
Unfortunately it failed
It's surprising how shallow and flat this story is because the other books from the writer are much more enjoyable. There's a great deal of action but no depth to either the characters, their emotions,or even the events. Problems occur but are solved quickly without any feeling. It's just not worth the time to read or the money to purchase the book.
It's surprising how shallow and flat this story is because the other books from the writer are much more enjoyable. There's a great deal of action but no depth to either the characters, their emotions,or even the events. Problems occur but are solved quickly without any feeling. It's just not worth the time to read or the money to purchase the book.
July 31, 2019
I once in a while read the modern day variations of Pride and Prejudice, but I am often disappointed in them. I like Victoria Kincaid and have read some of her modern day versions. Although there were some inconsistencies in her storyline, by other reviewers, I still enjoyed the book overall. Parts were a bit lame, but overall Elizabeth made me laugh! I found it a witty, entertaining read.
October 31, 2019
Darcy in Hollywood:A Modern Pride and Prejudice Variation
I truly enjoyed this tale of the Hollywood icon. Darcy, A penultimate, bonafied Hollywood heartthrob, and Lizzy an assistant, burns up the pages of this farcical fun, and sexy novel.
I could not put it down! A winner, by anyone's standards.
I truly enjoyed this tale of the Hollywood icon. Darcy, A penultimate, bonafied Hollywood heartthrob, and Lizzy an assistant, burns up the pages of this farcical fun, and sexy novel.
I could not put it down! A winner, by anyone's standards.
June 19, 2022
It was sweet and emotional.
It would be 3⭐️ but Jane not ending up with Charlie Bingley just lost a star for me. It’s Pride and Prejudice variation so the happy ending couples should be the same. Other than this it was a delightful reading. Totally recommend it.
It would be 3⭐️ but Jane not ending up with Charlie Bingley just lost a star for me. It’s Pride and Prejudice variation so the happy ending couples should be the same. Other than this it was a delightful reading. Totally recommend it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
June 30, 2019Review to come
Read
March 14, 2024TBH I only flicked through the Amazon extract, but I found it too wordy for me. The plot sounds good though.
January 9, 2024
So many preposterous things occurred, but I do love me a P&P remix...
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews